Gang member jailed for life over shooting of girl, 9, caught in crossfire at restaurant

A getaway driver who helped a gangland assassin flee from a bungled hit that left a nine-year-old girl fighting for her life with a bullet lodged in her brain, has been jailed for life. Javon Riley, 33, must serve a minimum of 34 years behind bars for his role in the deadly turf war violence between warring Turkish gangs that ended in tragedy with the child suffering devastating life-changing injuries.

The girl was sat with her family enjoying an ice cream when she was hit in the head by one of six bullets fired by a man on a passing motorbike as she sat with her family in the Evin Restaurant in Hackney, east London. She was an innocent victim of a bloody “medieval turf war” raging between Turkish gangs in north London and her parents say the “brutal and inhumane” attack had forever transformed the life of their once “smart, funny girl”. The nine-year-old girl spent three months in hospital and will suffer with lifelong physical and cognitive problems as the bullet remains lodged in her brain.

Three men sitting at a nearby table were also injured in the drive-by shooting on May 29 last year.

Javon Riley, 33, from Tottenham, north London, was last month found guilty at the Old Bailey of causing grievous harm with intent to the girl and attempting to murder rival gangsters Mustafa Kiziltan, 35, Kenan Aydogdu, 45, and Nasser Ali, 44.

The three men received gunshot wounds to the arm, leg and thigh but the gunman's intended target, Beytullah Gunduz, 37, escaped unharmed, as he had left the restaurant minutes earlier.

As Riley was caged the mother of his young victim  said: "In a single moment, the future we had imagined for our daughter was torn away. She was once an energetic, adventurous child — everything that celebrated movement, energy, and life.

"Now, weakness on her left side means she can only watch from the sidelines, living with a titanium plate in her skull and a bullet still in her brain. As parents, we are shattered — emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. Each day brings new challenges, from her slower growth on one side to the emotional and mental scars that cannot be seen.

"The world we once believed was safe for our child now feels frightening and uncertain. This was not just an accident — even if our daughter was not the intended target, those responsible were still attempting to take lives, It is brutal and inhumane. We live with this pain every day, knowing nothing will ever be the same for our family."

Judge Mark Lucraft KC said the ferocious rivalry between warring Turkish criminals had resulted in a number of “tit for tat” murders and attempted murders in London and overseas stretching back over a decade.

The three men who were shot were said to be affiliated with the Hackney Bombacilar – meaning bombers - Turks organised crime gang, who had a rivalry with the Tottenham Turks, also known as The Boys, with whom Riley was affiliated, jurors had heard.

The gunman who fired the shots fled on a stolen Ducati Monster motorbike and remains at large but prosecutors said Riley had played a “key role” before, during and after the shooting.

Detectives discovered how he had scoped the area over several days, sitting in a bar opposite the restaurant – sipping pina coladas as he studied the flow of traffic – calculating what was needed for the gunman to successfully carry out the assassination hit.

On the evening of the attack, Riley drove from north London in a stolen car and travelled past the restaurant on several occasions to ensure that the intended targets were present.

After the gunman abandoned the motorbike he was driven away by Riley in a stolen car, which was later found burnt out. The gun has never been found.

Scotland Yard has offered up to £15,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person who fired the shots.

During a three-week trial, Riley was asked to identify the “third party” who had recruited him for around £40,000.

He refused, citing fear for his life and that of his family.

The defendant admitted conducting reconnaissance, spotting targets and picking up the gunman, but claimed he believed it was a “smash-and-grab” robbery.

He later admitted the person who used the gun had said to him: “Shots have been fired. I need to get out of here.”

The court heard Riley had a string of convictions dating back to 2008 including for possession of cannabis and cocaine, driving offences and having an offensive weapon and a blade in his car.

He also admitted involvement in car theft, drug dealing and robberies, but said he had never been caught for those offences.

Police recordings revealed Riley’s links to the Tottenham Turks, including talks about Izzet Eren, who was shot in Moldova on July 10 last year in what was believed to be a revenge attack.

The gang feud began in 2009 when a Tottenham Turk was slapped by a Hackney Bomber in the Manor Club snooker hall in Haringey, which led to a fight.

At the time of that attack, it is claimed that one of the Bombers' leaders, Kemal Armagan, told police not to investigate, adding: "I'm old school, I'll sort it out myself."

That sparked a brutal 16-year conflict that has since seen 20 murders - including overseas hit jobs - as well as at least 31 shootings, four arson attacks, five stabbings and several buildings sprayed with bullets.

Turkish gangs are the UK's biggest heroin suppliers, even selling to the Mafia and trading it for cocaine with the infamous Colombian cartels.

Det Ch Insp Joanna Yorke, who led the investigation, said: “Riley will face the consequences of his actions behind bars. Actions that traumatically derailed the life of a little girl. While this outcome is a reminder that justice can be served, it will never undo the suffering caused to her or her family.

“The dangerous man responsible for pulling the trigger is walking free, and it is imperative we find him. People out there know what happened and are choosing to stay quiet. We understand that you may be worried about talking to us, but it is vital we hear from anyone who can assist this investigation.

“Please reconsider your decision to stay silent and share what you know. Anything you say will be treated with the utmost care and confidentiality and you will be playing a huge part in securing justice for a young girl and her family.”